Summer has just started here in Nova Scotia, and even though it may seem too early; July, August and into September are the perfect times to sow hardy greens for Fall and Winter harvests. Kales, mizuna, mustard greens, tatsoi, chard and spinach are especially good ones for Fall growing. Many greens actually do better in Fall than they do in Spring... they appreciate the cool weather and reduced flea beetle pressure. They're also much less prone to bolting compared to Spring sown greens. My most vibrant crops of salad greens are always in the Fall!

To extend the harvest season further into Winter, it's simply a matter of covering up your hardy greens as cold weather arrives. A whole variety of protection techniques will do the trick, whether a glass cold frame, some kind of greenhouse or simple poly sheets over hoops. The plants won't actively grow very much over the Winter, but they'll stay in great shape for harvesting until the very coldest of Winter weather arrives. Corn Salad, Claytonia and Russian Kales are usually my very hardiest greens for Winter.

(Rumex acetosa) - The tart, lemony greens of this perennial herb are great additions to salads when young and tender, and are famous in soup. Sorrel is usually one of the first greens brave enough to emerge in early spring, and once the plants are established they’ll take care of themselves and keep coming back for years. 100+ seeds

(B. napus) - A very unique “frilly” sport of the popular Red Russian. The reddish-green leaves are very finely cut, almost like parsley. A very different look than the common curly kale. Very tender and tasty! Extremely winter hardy, lasting long into the cold weather. A real favourite! Approx. 250 seeds (1 g)

(B. napus) - Our go-to kale. White Russian is both extremely productive and delicious. The broad green leaves stay tender even when fully grown, making it a great variety for fresh salads. One of our hardiest kales for Fall and Winter growing; with a little care they can keep on producing almost all year.

I especially love kale in the fall and winter. The cold weather makes the leaves sweeter (kale produces sugar as an anti-freezing measure), and by the end of Fall kale is often one of the few green plants still standing strong in the garden. Try making massaged kale... just tear up some leaves and “massage” them (almost as if you were kneading the kale) in a large bowl with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It makes an amazing tender salad! Approx. 250 seeds (1 g)

A mix of all our favourite kale varieties. If you can't decide, why not try them all! Among the most cold hardy of greens for Fall and Winter growing. Try the second-year flower shoots like you would broccoli. Approx. 250 seeds (1 g)

(B. juncea) - A very hardy and easy to grow green, great for adding some kick to salads. The beautiful red blushed ruffly green leaves are mildly hot, generally being more pungent and spicy in warm weather while being sweeter in the cool months. Approx. 250 seeds (1 g)

(Malva verticillata var. crispa)The round leaves of this unique plant are tender and sweet and an excellent addition to salads when young. In soups and stews it has a slightly gummy texture, not unlike okra. The plant grows about four feet tall and has small white flowers in late-summer. Ornamental and edible! Several hundred seeds (1 gram)

Also known as Mache. An extremely cold hardy salad green. Tender, oval shaped leaves with sweet, nutty flavour. One of the best choices for winter growing in cold frames or low tunnels. Sow in September for Winter and early Spring harvests. 500+ seeds (1 g)

Annapolis Seeds is a living seed bank for the Maritime region, our goal is to maintain and develop the greatest possible diversity of seeds which thrive in our climate. All our seeds are grown in Nova Scotia by small scale growers committed to ecological farming methods. Like always, all of our varieties are open-pollinated and can be saved for seed, an important yet very simple skill I want to see every gardener doing. Thanks for supporting local seeds, and keeping the seeds in the hands of the people!